A Wellington wine estate is carving its niche in international mountain-biking circles. So much so that with the advent of the prestigious 2024 ABSA Cape Epic, the term “Cliffhanger” has gained new significance, resonating with both mountain biking and healthier wine enthusiasts.
Canetsfontein Organic Wine Estate, located at the foot of the iconic Bains Kloof Pass outside Wellington, is an official route partner of the ABSA Cape Epic this year.
Anticipation is building up for Canetsfontein’s new world-class single-track, named Cliffhanger, which will challenge riders to a climb of 1 000 m above sea level on Thursday 21 March. At the same time on this public holiday wine enthusiasts can come and enjoy Canetsfontein’s new mountain bike-inspired red wine at the Go Wellington Family Festival at the popular Old Tannery destination just outside Wellington.A new era: In harmony with nature
During the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge in February, the first mountain bike race featuring the Cliffhanger, riders compared it to a world-class Tour de France experience. Crafted by Pieter van Wyk, a renowned Wellington and Cape Epic trail builder, professional riders tout the Cliffhanger as one of the world’s most challenging trails.
As the Cliffhanger winds through pristine fynbos along the Hawequa mountain range, Canetsfontein’s vineyards thrive in harmony with nature.
While winemaking at Canetsfontein dates to 1781, a new era dawned when the Falk family acquired the farm in 1994. Expanding Canetsfontein into a diverse agricultural estate, the focus shifted to organic and sustainable farming, yielding outstanding wines lauded with accolades over the years.
Canetsfontein’s latest release is the Cliffhanger Organic Red 2022, a wine inspired by mountain biking, nature, and a health-conscious lifestyle. This vegan, 100% certified organic, and sulphur-free wine invites adventurous wine drinkers to explore something new and different, a healthier wine naturally preserved with honeybush and rooibos.
Frank Meaker, Canetsfontein’s winemaker, acknowledges the challenge of creating a wine that ticks all the boxes while delivering quality and exceptional taste.
“Due to Canetsfontein’s replanting programme, their organic vineyards are still in their infancy, thus Cliffhanger’s 2022 vintage is a blend of selected varieties from 20-year-old premium organic vineyards in the coastal region,” explains Meaker.
Meaker explains that by using an innovative, patented method for natural winemaking, they can naturally preserve the wine with antioxidants from honeybush and rooibos plants, eliminating the need for chemical preservatives like sulphur.
“Within this wine’s deep, vivid red colour lies inherent wholesomeness, akin to the health benefits of blueberries.”
Challenging and innovative, Cliffhanger, the wine and the trail both call for further exploration. It’s no wonder the Falk family crest features a dragon – keep an eye out for it on Canetsfontein’s wine labels!. You can taste and buy Canetsfontein’s Cliffhanger wine along with wines from other wineries on the Wellington Wine Route at the Go Wellington family festival, on the Human Rights Day public holiday, Thursday 21 March 2024. The festival will be held from 10:00 to 18:00 at the Old Tannery venue, just outside Wellington. In addition to wine tasting, there will be food stalls, activities for children, and live music.
Admission is R150 for adults and R50 for children under 18, available online via Quicket at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/249290-go-wellington-family-festival/#/.
This celebration presents an ideal opportunity to explore the Boland and to extend the experience over a long weekend during the school holidays. Visit the wine route’s new website, www.gowellington.co.za, for details on activities and accommodation in Wellington.
